City to review budget limitations with employees, public

Mayor Cedric Glover’s administration intends to review Shreveport’s budget with city employees and members of the general public during a meeting set to take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the RiverView Hall and Theater.

The public meeting will focus on the city’s budgetary limitations in regards to providing a recurring source of revenue for employee pay raises.

“You’re talking about adding an additional $8 million to the budget,” said Glover, who announced the meeting during the city council’s administrative session Monday. The mayor said current revenue streams, budget line items, the general fund and other topics will be discussed.

The issue of pay increases for city workers publicly surfaced during a two-day, mass sick-out dozens of garbage workers staged earlier this month. The men called in sick to protest low and stagnate wages, poor equipment and long hours.

Some customer service representatives in the Water and Sewerage department followed the garbage workers’ lead and also called in sick. They returned to work the next business day.

The city’s sanitation workers are asking for a $3 per hour increase. The City Workers Union, on the other hand, is asking for a 6 percent pay increase for all classified employees. City administrators contend that recurring pay increases are not financially feasible. The administration figures a 6 percent pay increase for all full-time employees would cost $8.1 million.

Glover said the city reached out to union President Sheila Johnson when the mass sick-out occurred. The sanitation workers, who are not union members, have rejected the union’s involvement and accused it of undermining its message.

Glover insists it would be grave for the city council and the administration to ignore the union since it is considered the voice of the employees.

Meanwhile, city council President Joe Shyne warned against outsiders instigating the matter and expressed his support to the city for hosting the meeting..

“We need to look at this is in a very professional and civilized manner,” he said.

Public Works Director Stan Harris also will address the city council on the what occurred in the Public Works Department regarding the sanitation workers during its regular session today.